Akure, the Ondo State capital, witnessed a surge of tension on Wednesday as farmers staged a protest over the alleged killing of five of their members by suspected herdsmen at Aba Oyinbo community in Akure North Local Government Area.
Reports indicate that the assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday, opening fire on the victims.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another violent episode, where approximately 14 people were reportedly killed by gunmen in four communities—Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido—also within the same local government area, just two weeks prior.
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A large number of angry protesters marched to the Governor’s Office, chanting solidarity songs and calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate action to stop the ongoing attacks against farmers.
One of the protesters, identified as Jonah, expressed deep frustration over the escalating violence, claiming the attackers were infiltrating the state from Edo. “We are being slaughtered without anyone doing anything. Akure North is under siege. We are farmers, not criminals. We are appealing to the governor, the police, the army, and Amotekun to save us before more lives are lost,” he said.
Security operatives were deployed to the protest scene to maintain order and prevent any escalation of the situation.